Page 29 of Unspoken Obsession

What are the chances of that happening? It's crazy.

But after last night my instincts tell me that it is true. Dan is The Shadow.

"Mommy. All done." I turn to see Damion holding a bowl of mixed eggs that he is about to tip onto the floor.

"Well done baby boy," I say as I take the bowl from him. I'll throw it into the pan once the biscuits are done and make a little scrambled egg. He loves eggs and will eat them with the biscuit.

"Are you ready for your first biscuit?" I ask, seeing that another sixty seconds in the oven would've burned it.

Oops.

I'm daydreaming too much this morning.

Last night has gotten to me more than I would like to admit.

I slide the first two biscuits onto a plastic plate for him, squeezing some honey over them. He places his bum onto the mat on the floor again and holds his hands up to take the breakfast from me.

I leave him to enjoy his food while I pour two more scoops of batter into the pan.

"Could it be him?" I talk to myself. "And if it is him - what does that mean? Is it good or bad? Would I tell him the truth? How do I know it's him?"

"Ok, Mommy," Damion says, joining the conversation even though he does not know what I am talking about.

After breakfast and a shower, I take Damion to the park nearby so that he can play on the little jungle gym and run around. I am meeting Dan at twelve, so Clarissa is coming to spend the afternoon with Damion. They are going to make pizza and watch cartoons. I don't like her to take him out of the apartment when I am not there. I just don't trust my father's men.

Even now - sitting in the park - I can see them, trying to blend in but sticking out like an alarm bell -- overdressed in dark suits with the bulge of their handguns beneath their jackets. Completely out of place at a kid's park.

I roll my eyes in annoyance.

I've got to be so careful. I don't want them following me when I go meet Dan. Especially if I'm right and he is Damion's father. The last person I want to be involved in that is my father.

I'll leave my car behind and catch a taxi, rather. That way I can sneak out unseen.

When I'm back from the park with Damion, Clarissa is waiting outside the door. "Sorry, I got here early."

"Clasa." Damion squeals in excitement, running to hug her. She scoops him up in her arms. "Guess what your mommy told me?" She asks, nuzzling his cheek with her nose. "What?"

"She told me we are making pizza."

"He helped make biscuits this morning."

"Did you? That's so clever." She grins at him.

I push the door to my apartment open and let them inside. Clarissa carries Damion towards the living room, and I head to my room to change.

I'm excited to see Dan again. And nervous. Butterflies take flight in my stomach when I think about it.

My lips tingle at the memory of his kiss.

I don't know what I'll do if he is Damion's father, but I cannot stay away from him.

I cuddle Damion goodbye, but he is so busy looking at photos of pizza toppings on my laptop with Clarissa that he gives me a second of his time. He's really into this pizza-making adventure he is about to embark on.

"I don't know how late I'll be —"

"Just enjoy yourself. I'm here. I've got your number if I need anything, and you've got mine. Don't stress about it."

I give her a quick hug, leaning over the back of the sofa, and then I turn to rush out of the apartment. Instead of going downstairs to the front of the building where I parked my car after coming home with Damion this morning - I headed to the underground parking lot where I asked the Uber to pick me up.

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